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More Than 10,000 Applicants Register For FEMA Assistance

Little Rock, AR -- More than 10,000 people affected by the recent ice storms have registered for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free number, according to Joe D. Bray, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and David Maxwell, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM).

The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, minor home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not fully compensated by insurance. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also will be available to cover residential and business losses. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide working capital to small businesses to assist them through the disaster recovery period.

Additionally, federal funds will be available to the state and affected local governments to reimburse 75 percent of the eligible cost for debris removal and emergency services.

Bray, who is serving as Federal Coordinating Officer for the disaster recovery, encourages everyone who sustained disaster-related damage or losses since Dec. 12 to register for assistance by calling the toll-free registration line at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.